Allen Glasser has had stories published in more than a dozen different mags—but only two of them were science fiction. Therefore, his claim to fame in the latter field must rest mainly on his activities as a fan.
Glasser's first effort in behalf of science fiction was the founding of The Scienceers, a fan club, early in 1930. For his work in this connection, he was awarded a prize by Science Wonder Quarterly.
During 1931 he began a one-man campaign for more scientifilms, having coined that term himself. He wrote to various producers and magazines on this subject, and he believes he really started something.
In January, 1932, he became editor of The Time Traveller, science fiction's first fan magazine, and conducted it successfully (for himself) during its brief career. He also founded the Fantasy Fan Fraternity in this period.
In addition to his fan activities, he has several other items to his credit in connection with science fiction. He won third prize in Wonder Quarterly's Interplanetary Plot Contest, his story, "The Martian," appearing in their Winter 1932 edition. A poem of his was published in the Summer 1933 issue of Amazing Quarterly; and a short story, "Across the Ages," in the August-September 1933 Amazing Stories. He has also had two articles on science fiction in The Author & Journalist, a prominent writers' magazine. They were "Wells Started It," published September, 1932, and "The Wane of Science Fiction" which appeared last June.
Despite the pessimistic title of his last named work, Glasser still has strong faith and deep interest in science fiction—as proven by his contributions to THE FANTASY FAN.
He may not have the beautiful vocabulary of Clark Ashton Smith, the ironic humor of Stanton A. Coblentz, the psychology of Dr. Keller, or the science of John W. Campbell, Jr., but it is our sincere belief that Allen Glasser is one of science fiction's potential authors.
(Another in this series will soon appear.)
CLUB NEWS
In this department will be discussed news of any science fiction or weird story club and their activities. If you belong to a club devoted to fantasy, tell us about it, and we will let the rest of the readers know. Some may want to join your club.